Cammy

Cammy takes to the ice with her favorite player, Duncan Keith (image from the video)

Here’s a little something to brighten up your day. I posted this on the blog’s Facebook page last night, but it needs a fuller airing.

Meet Cammy, a young Chicago Blackhawks fan.

Cammy was born unable to walk or speak. But she loves the Blackhawks. Just ask her, she’ll tell you — since as we all know, non-speaking does not mean nothing to say (HT: diary of a mom).

As part of the Blackhawks “#whatsyourgoal” campaign, Cammy was able to meet her favorite player, Duncan Keith, and help him score a goal. Go ahead and watch, I promise this will be the best two minutes of your day:

I see a lot in that video. For starters: nonverbal communication. Cammy’s smile could melt all the snow in the northeast. Does she need words to tell us how happy she is?

Here’s what else I see: connection. Keith’s interaction with Cammy goes far beyond an autograph, a handshake and a picture. He connects with her. They even have a conversation about missing teeth! (A subject Keith knows something about — he once took a puck to the face, lost seven teeth, and stayed in the game). Cammy’s smile, and that of her parents, says it all.

We have a saying around here, “hockey people are good people.” Duncan Keith and the Chicago Blackhawks are full of quality hockey people. And you know that’s not easy for me to say because Keith was a Michigan State Spartan before he was a Blackhawk.

Happy Friday. May your weekend be powered by smiles like Cammy’s.

P.S. – Cammy is one of several videos in the #whatsyourgoal campaign. They’re funny, touching, endearing and just generally awesome (but get the tissues ready — you were warned).

Married father of two, rapidly approaching middle age. Hockey has been a constant in my life since the age of four. I care way too much about most sports -- something that will become evident in these pages -- but I'm learning that some things are more important. My son has been diagnosed with PDD-NOS, ADHD and Asperger's at various points.